Obituary of Earl Franklin Withers, Sr

Earl Franklin Withers, Sr., age 93 of Portland, passed away Monday, January 24, 2022.  Funeral Service will be Friday, January 28^th at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of Family Heritage Funeral.  Visitation will be Thursday, January 27^th from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  and Friday, January 28^th from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m.   Graveside Service will be Saturday, January 29^th at 3:00 p.m. at Portland Memorial Cemetery.  Online condolences may be submitted at familyheitagefh.com.

Earl Franklin Withers Sr, age 93 of Portland went to meet his Lord and Savior January 24, 2022.

He was born in Gallatin TN May 4, 1928 to Rufus Cofield Withers and Elizabeth Catherine Gorham the seventh of what would become a family of 17 children.  He was saved while serving in the US Army in California.

He is preceded in death by wife Hazel Withers, brothers: Jake Withers, Robert Withers, Samuel Withers; sisters: Ruth Withers, Allene Wade, Margaret Jones, Florencie Fuqua, Betty Fuqua and son Buddy (Earl Jr) Withers.

He is survived by his son Darrell (Donna) Withers, daughters Sherry (Jim) Mayhew and Rhonda Withers and daughter-in-law Pam Withers, 5 grandchildren, Robby (Kelly) Riley, Misty (Jason) Riley, Jarrod Riley, Jill (Josh) Wallace and Shelby (Zack) Withers Crittenden and eight great-grandchildren, Stevie Crittenden, Harper Riley, Natalie Riley, Memphis Wallace, Reagan Riley, Madison Wallace, Eli Riley and Ethan Riley, and mother of his children, Wanda Withers, all of Portland. Sisters Barbara Hobdy of Portland, Marilyn Gregory, Nell (Russell) Bruce, Florene Gregory, Irene Moss, Jenny Fuqua, all of Gallatin; Brothers William "Dee" (Sue) Withers of Hendersonville and Benny (Diane)Withers of Castalian Springs. 

He was retired from Advanced Plastics.  In his younger years he farmed as well as working public work to provide for his family.  He loved talking with people and spent many hours hanging out at places like Cottontown Store and the Sumner County Co-Op early on and in his later years at the Panther Den and lastly 109 Restaurant where he would have breakfast every day.

Funeral service will be conducted by Elder Darrell Withers and Brother Travis Graves Friday, January 28th at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of Family Heritage Funeral Home.  Visitation will be Thursday, January 27th from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Friday, January 28th from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m.  Graveside service will be Saturday, January 29th at 3:00 p.m. at Portland Memorial Gardens.  Pall bearers are Ethan Riley, Eli Riley, Robby Riley, Jarrod Riley, Jason Riley and Josh Wallace.  Honorary pall bearer Memphis Wallace.  The obituary was lovingly written by the family.  Online condolences may be submitted at familyheritagefh.com.